Helen Catherine Donovan

Helen Donovan Obituary

Helen Catherine (Wilcox) Donovan
of Binghamton
Helen C. (Wilcox) Donovan, 91, a loving and loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to the Lord on Saturday, December 8, 2007. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Daniel F. (Fran) Donovan; her son, Daniel F. Donovan Jr.; parents, Burton and Vina Wilcox; and brothers, Albert Wilcox, Clifton Wilcox and Donald Wilcox. She is survived by five sons and their spouses, Dr. John and Amy Donovan, Binghamton, Kevin and Valerie Donovan, Delmar, N.Y., Drs. Eugene and Mary Donovan, Farmville, Va., Martin and Kim Donovan, Canterbury, N.H., and Kenneth and Martha Donovan, Apalachin, N.Y.; daughter-in-law, Ellen Donovan Smith and Ron Smith, Heart Lake, Pa.; 23 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, 29 nieces and nephews; and her beloved sister, A. Eleanor Wilcox, who was her best friend and second mother to her six boys. Born April 6, 1916, Helen grew up on Mulberry Street and on the Wilcox farm on Old State Road in Kirkwood. She graduated from Binghamton Central and joined Vail-Ballou Press as a linotype operator, where she met her future husband, Fran. With Fran serving in the Army, she traveled to Dodge City, Kansas, where they were married on March 2, 1944. Helen thrived on the rigors of raising six sons and encouraging them by her example of persistence and selfless caring. After Fran retired with 37 years at Vail-Ballou Press, Helen and Fran enjoyed golfing, travel, wintering in Florida, and visiting family. The family would like to thank the staff of Good Shepherd-Fairview for their loving care.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. James Church, corner of Main Street and Lester Avenue, Johnson City, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Friday from 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Helen may be made to Good Shepherd-Fairview Living Care Fund, 80 Fairview Avenue, Binghamton, N.Y. 13904.

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Published by Press & Sun-Bulletin from Dec. 12 to Dec. 13, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Donovan

7 Entries

Kevin Wood

December 14, 2007

My condolences to the Donovan family.

Sheila La France

December 14, 2007

It's funny, but I was just thinking of your mother the other day wondering how she was doing. She was such a wonderful woman and aunt. Terry and I extend our deepest smypathy to all of you.

Cousin Sheila (Campion) - and Terry La France
Beverly Hills, Fl.

stuart Kirkpatrick

December 13, 2007

I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the company of your Mother and Dad at the dinner table.I will miss your Mom, because we always met each day at the elevator.
How ever, we know that they are now resting in peace.

Sharon (Wertman) Carpenter

December 12, 2007

To all the Donovan Family,
Many memories linger in my heart with your family. The six Donovan boys used to play with our family as children. Donald Wilcox was very gracious at inviting the neighbors to swim in his pool and socialize with all of us. His son Gary has always remained a very wonderful neighbor and Arthur Wilcox had the best eggs in the neighborhood and at Halloween time any window soaping passed by his house because if it did not the culprit would be found out by the rest of the kids in the neighborhood and they would pay the price. Dr Donavan cared for my mother towards the end of her life with a problem with her foot and I could go on and on. My love goes out to all of you at this very sad time but you can all be proud and carry you head high because she was a wonderful woman and passed it on through the family.

KELLY FULLER(DIETARY)

December 12, 2007

To the Wilcox/Donovan Family,
I would like to send out my deepest sympathy to all of her family.Mrs.Donovan was a warm hearted caring person,as some would say she was a classic..I work at Good Shepard,not long,but i went from a small family to a extended family.Mrs.Donovan was a big part of my life and I miss her dearly.She always laughed and cracked jokes with all the staff,but mostly her and her sister were inseperable.She was a remarkable lady who just loved life and lived it, she made the journey.Mrs.Donovan always said "NEVER LIVE WITH THE HAND THAT WAS DEALT TO YOU,YOUR SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT".She will be in my heart as so will all of you..May her spirit in the after life look over all of us,she walks with the lord now(she is in great hands)..

Patrick Kearse

December 12, 2007

Jack and Amy,

Your are blessed with such wonderful memories of a life so richly lived. Patrick Kearse

Fred Affeldt

December 12, 2007

To all the Donovan family,
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mother, Grandmother, Greatgrandmother, sister, and friend. Many of my childhood memories are linked to your family, and to this lady who made your home all that it was. She will be missed.

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